Best/Worst Live Acts

[neco82]

Alright, I've been wanting to do this for a while now... in your opinion, which artists can put on a hell of an entertaining live show, and which acts downright suck at it?

WORST LIVE ACTS:

Blink 182 -Those guys can't sing for shit. Either that or they spend half the time making stupid juvenile jokes.
Korn - Hop around like monkeys and yell a lot.
Tricky - Only because he just stands there and "sings" in that monotone voice of his.
Crazy Town
Any hip-hop act where the artist is more concerned with all the guest stars than the actual song. (MTV stages these in their awards shows - I have yet to hear a coherent song out of 5 or 6 rappers bundled together.

BEST LIVE ACTS:

Santana
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Metallica - Call them sell-outs if you want, but I found the S&M a great idea.
Aerosmith

Anybody have any opinions?

[Annie Hall]

Best:

Dave Matthews Band: Not only do they have some fabulous light shows, but the crowds that come are very low key, usually...calm, very comfortable with where they are. A little too calm ;)

Worst:
Jimmy Eat World: Very good band...but...come on...let's stand around for awhile longer without moving, shall we?:rolleyes:

[Grebdron]

I've seen ALOT of shows in my (many) years on this earth.

Some of the best...

Rush-Incredible sound, light and energy.
Metallica-Completely blew me away.
Santana-Saw then very close up at the Hollywood Bowl. Great show.
Queensryche-Geoff Tate has an incredible voice.
Ted Nugent-The Motor City Madman has definitely got what it takes.

Some of the worst...

AC/DC-Sounded like shit. Uninspired performance.
Green Day-Whatever. Dookie says it all.
Motley Crue-Yeah. Whatever.

[bowieee]

Best:

Bowie
Iggy Pop
Jonathan Richman
Moby
The Ramones
Doug Martsch
Laurie Anderson
Sonic Youth
The Red Elvises
Red Hot Chili peppers
The Foo Fighters
Tina Turner
John lee Hooker
u2 (zoo tv tour blew me away)

The Worst:
Maryln Manson pre anti christ days.

I saw Manson open up for NIN before he did the whole make up thing. imagine him in pink tights with pink hair singing in a "High Pitch" voice. He was booed off the stage. A year later is when he hit it big.

[paul calf]

best
the happy mondays
the verve
the stone roses
beck
shed 7
prince
james
rem


worst
oasis(not terrible just disapointing)
the audience(sophi ellis bexter's band)

[stefanb]

Best:

Metallica - Cunning Stunts and S&M are two MUST own DVD's for any Metallica fan. Amazing!

Matchbox 20 - These guys are BANG ON their CD sound. You'd swear you were listining to the CD, and not a live gig. I STRONGLY suggest grabbing the VH1: Storytellers DVD they have out.

AC/DC - Their 2-disc Live CD is proof enough that they know their stuff (back in their day anyway)

Smashing Pumpkins - I saw them about 5 years ago... They played over 3 hours doing 3 encores. They gave everything and more... just good stuff.

Tom Petty - Not much of a "show", per se, but if you're a fan of his music, his live sound is awesome. I have to toss out a plug for his High Grass Dogs DVD as being well worth the $20 I spent.


Worst:

Third Eye Blind - It was a live on TV bit that I saw, and they sounded worse than most garage bands do.... or did I forget to put the "b" in the middle of "garage"?

The Headstones - The fuckhead of a lead singer CONSTANTLY spits on the crowd in every show he does. If I wants someone spitting on my face, it sure as fuck won't be him. To top it, they sounded like shit.

Britney, Christina, and the rest of the pre-recoded fuckwits - If I wanted to hear pre-recorded music, I'd buy the CD.

Anything Rap or Hip/Hop - It almost never sounds as good live as it does on the CD.

http://www.banda.ca/img/sig.gif

[Scarface King]

NO Pink Floyd?! Even if you have not seen it live, the videos of their concerts are mind-blowing, and my dad said their live performance is even better! So that is definitely the best!

Worst: Rap music I like, Rap Concerts I don't like :cool:

[NumberMSO52]

BEST:
The Who (especially in the keith moon era, but Zach Starky is a great drummer as well)
Radiohead (pure energy and talent)
Fugazi (tons of improvisation)

WORST:
Sinistar (This really insanely crappy nu-metal band i saw opening up for Rob Zombie, they had ZERO stage presents, they got more laughs than cheering)
Mudvayne (they have some good songs, but they act like fucking idiots live)

[BadCoverVersion]

I'm only going with bands I've actually seen soooo...

Best

Pulp
James
The Bees
The Eels
Royksopp
U2
Rod Stewart (Seriously)


Worst

Cast (I saw them "support", they were simply shite)

[notchreturns]

.

[Haddonfield]

Best :

The Black Crowes
The Allman Brothers
Sheryl Crow
Phish
Meatloaf

Worst:

The Goo Goo Dolls
Weezer
Soundgarden (like the band but was tough live)

[freakandgeek]

well, i haven't seen THAT many shows, but from what i have seen, i love the ones that actually talk to the audience or interact with the audience.

green day is my favorite band, and i love seeing them live. they always have kids come up on stage and play a song...i think thats awesome.

ani difranco is really funny. she always jokes around with the audience like we are all her friends. its awesome.

last night i saw finch, and they are just so down to earth, its great!!!!

[beastieben21]

Originally posted by Haddonfield
Best :

The Black Crowes
The Allman Brothers
Sheryl Crow
Phish
Meatloaf

Worst:

The Goo Goo Dolls
Weezer
Soundgarden (like the band but was tough live)

I'm gonna argue the Weezer and Soundgarden remark. Both bands rocked live each time i've seen them, giving me, the fan, just what i wanted and more. Though, I do agree that Phish is amazing live. But The Allman Bros? Recently?! I saw them open for Phil Lesh and it was one of the most dissapointing thing's ive seen. They've lost their touch and motivated me to leave even in a drug induced state.

[CeMeTaRy_GaTeS]

Best:
MetallicA- They may have sold out. But their concerts have a sense of majesty towards their stage prescence that reflects what metal is all about.
Rammstein- Sounds just as good as the studio, and the pyrotechnics are something to behold.
Pantera- Everyone puts a lot of energy into the live show, especially Phil, plus the old material (mainly what's on Cowboys From Hell) is re-done to a certain degree to make it heavier.
Radiohead- Has a more ambient and gentle setting, but the preformance is still grand.

Worst
Blink 182- sounded awful and totally different
Sum 41- "
Christina Agulera

Overrated
Tool- Great band, with a great studio/live transfer, it is just that they rely on the background artwork and cinematics to keep the show gowing, because other than Maynard, everyone is pretty much just stationary, I like to see the band show some prescence when they are preforming.

[bob]

The best live acts:

The Who
Weezer
Bob Dylan

Pretty good, but somewhat disappointing considering how good they are in the studio:
Led Zeppelin

Just Bad:
The Beatles: They're my favorite band, but I'll be damned if there's any live albums of them at all where you can hear ANYTHING. Except out of tune instruments.

[SubMethod]

I've never been to any major concert events so I seriously doubt any of the bands I list will be recognized by you guys:

Best:
Bleach
The Elms
Audioadrenaline
Newsboys
Holland
Mercy Me

Worst:
Sonicflood
Relient K
Philmore

[Hardcore Horror]

Best

Dillinger Escape Plan (these guys are insane, breaking stuff, all over the place, if you get a chance to see them, GO!)

In Flames (iAmazing!)

The Crown (Metal!!!!)

Darkest Hour (Wicked, all over the place)

Ani Difranco ( She kicks ass!)

A.F.I (Great band)

Big Wig (check them out)

Ruination (ex. singer from left for dead and the swarm)

Choke (canadien punk)

Belvedere (More Canadien punk)

Too many shows, it's hard to remember when you seen a ton of bands!

[thebloodfeaster]

When I saw Mercyful Fate live it was like a religious experience. I was in heaven (or was it hell ;)

[POLYDISTORTION]

Best

u2 (they always managed to give a memorable concert each night of the tour)

Rush (seen them 5 times and every tour is better than the last one)

Pink Floyd (Put Aside The Lights And Lasers,The Music Speaks for Itself)

NIN (Not A Dull Moment On Each Gig.......Reznor Playing Sax With Bowie?..... Pure Magic)

Mr Bungle (You'll Laugh,Slam,Body Surf Or Bang Your Head With The Same Ticket)

Worst
Def Leppard (Love The Band,But They Make Every Show A Boring Routine)

Bon Jovi (Same as Above)

Megadeth

[Voodoodoll]

BEST:
Counting Crows - they improvise a lot of their stuff, so it sounds like completely new arrangements (at least they did on when I saw them).
Radiohead - wow, plus, I saw them a few months after the Bends came out so the set-list was awesome :)
Neneh Cherry
Lush
Manic Street Preachers
Catatonia

WORST:
Alanis Morisette - not a big fan anyway (saw her at a festival) , but she was awful - I couldnt even recognise what songs she was singing! :(

Dot Allison - she was just annoying: played a 30minute (!) set when she was headlining and ignored the crowd, plus the equipment failed.

[Dude]

The Rolling Stones performed LIVE last night at the Garden... for HBO... HOLY SHIT! They played for almost 2 1/2 hrs! They sounded GREAT! Jagger is a freak of nature! He has more energy than 20 fruity ass choreographed boy singing/dancing bands put together! For those who missed it, there's an ENCORE performance Thursday!

[SIREN30]

Pretty funny I saw a best/worst live act who were duo headlining together a couple of years ago.

Tori Amos/Alanis Morisette

Bad idea on Morisette's part to come after Amos. Tori's set was moving and perfect in every way. It made ALanis' seem even more mundane. And halfway through she started spinning around in circles uncontrollably until I was reduced to drunken giggles and had to leave out of sheer exhaustion.

[Dignan]

Best- Pearl Jam
Ben Folds(W or W?OUT 5)
2 Skinnee Js

Worst
Radiohead(like them)

[electriclite]

Bump

[electriclite]

U2 (seen'em twice and they've been spot on both times)

PJ Harvey (Might be bias here, since it was my first concert of her's and was just ahppy to be there)

The Apes (They only have a keyboardist, drummer and bassist, but they sound harder and louder than any heavy metal band you can name! The lead singer is also quite a character)

!!! (That's their name. Think Jim Morrison fronting a funk/disco band. You will move your body to this band. You must)

Les Savy Fav (Check attached picture to get an idea why)

Pete Yorn ( I would not have bothered to see the guy twice if he wasn't worth it)

[Romero&Juliet]

Screw you guys...

In newfoundland, the biggest thing that's ever come is Live.
They were fannnnnnntastic.

I'm going down into the states for the summer and I intend on seeing EVERYTHING that I can. I know for sure that Carole King will be there while I am.. that's gonna be sweet

[Mad Maggot]

Best: Madonna's DWT tour - perfect show!

[noisy_brut]

Originally posted by stefanb
Best:

Metallica - Cunning Stunts and S&M are two MUST own DVD's for any Metallica fan. Amazing!


Actually, Live Shit: Binge and Purge is now available on DVD. As good as Stunning Cunts and S&M are Live Shit is Amazing. 1 complete Live Black Album show on CD, 1 different Black Album Live Show on DVD, and 1 Justice show. All for less than the price of the videos

Another GREAT live band:

Iron Maiden - Saw live 4 times. AMAZING. If you can find LIVE AFTER DEATH on video. Pick it up. Best Live Video I've seen.

Worst:
I saw Rage Against the Machine when they first came out back in 93 or 94 and Zack de la Rocha read poetry for 20 minutes in the middle of the set.

[Kastman]

Even though i am a huge fan of the vines, i saw them play at the big day out (on tv, big aussie rock concert with tonnes of bands.) and they sucked major ass. I mean the music was good, but his voice, oh the hilarity. I just hope they dont release a live dvd or sumthin and let the computers make the voice (or should i say screaming good)

[George vader]

Best?

Queen-Knebworth 1986
Cheap Trick-Cardiiff (supporting Motley Crue) 1985
Teenage Fanclub-Bristol 2000
GNR-Wembley Stadium 1992
Van Halen-Donington Monsters Of Rock 1984
Queensryche-London Kentish Town 1988
Mindfunk-Bristol 1991
GNR-London Marquee 1987
Red Hot Chilli Peppars-London Astoria 1990
QOTSA-Newport, South Wales 2000

[MarkItZero]

Any concert fans who enjoy fun, rockin shows where the crowds are friendly and you can sing, dance, get high and rock out any way you feel like should check out 311 next time they come to town.

I guarantee you will enjoy this show. Even if you dont consider yourself a 311 fan, if you go to the show you will leave with a great appreciation for their live performance.

They get my vote for having far and away the best live shows of any band I have seen (and I have seen quite a few).

Trust me on this one, go check them out, you wont regret it.

Other great shows I have seen:
Radiohead, Bjork, The Who, Metallica, Nirvana, Tool, NIN, Violent Femmes, G Love and Special Sauce, No Doubt

[HHH123007]

I saw 311 w/Alien Ant Farm in concert a year or so ago....

I went for AAF, stuck around for 311(I knew a couple songs, nothing big) and I came out a 311 fan.

I now own all of their CDs, and am awaiting their new disc...hopefully it's out in the summer, maybe earlier...

[Erin123]

Here are some of the best I've seen:

U2
Sting
Tool
Pearl Jam
Something For Kate

[PrettyInPink]

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY BAD COVER VERSION

Rod Stewart (Seriously)

Nevermind "Seriously" like its a joke the guys a bloody sex god with a fab voice to match. I go to every tour he does, and believe me until you have seen this guy play Glasgow you havent seen anything. Its not even about if he can sing (which by the way he can) he just gives an amazing top class performance.
I will be following him as long as he is willing to sing.

Other favs of mine..

WILL YOUNG
BEUTIFULL SOUTH
PRINCE

Im a simple kinda girl, will have to take a look at some other types of music.

Worst concert was by far Robbie Williams. All i can say is WHAT A TOSSER!!!!!!

[MarkItZero]

Originally posted by HHH123007
I saw 311 w/Alien Ant Farm in concert a year or so ago....

I went for AAF, stuck around for 311(I knew a couple songs, nothing big) and I came out a 311 fan.

I now own all of their CDs, and am awaiting their new disc...hopefully it's out in the summer, maybe earlier...

HHH,
I think they are shooting for a April or May release of the new album. And then, bring on the tours. I hope to see at least 2 or 3 shows on this next tour. Overall Ive seen somewhere around 25-30 311 shows, and loved every one of them. One of things that makes 311 my favorite band, is that they practically live on the road. For the past 10 years they have been playing 200+ shows a year. Way more than most bands.

[HHH123007]

I missed them when they came around in that Sprite Liquid Mix Tour....:mad:

It made me so mad, cause now I know all of their songs and would've enjoyed them a lot more....

As for the new disc, I always add a couple months to the artist's predicted due date. That way, if they get it out on time, it seems earlier than normal...;)

[thedarklamb]

BEST:

A.F.I
The Vandals
Zebrahead
No Use For A Name
Hole
7 Seconds
4 Letter Words
Good Riddance
Tilt
Bad Religion
Nofx
The Melvins
L7 [in 1994]
Sonic Youth
Silverchair
Sugercult

WORST:
New Found Glory
Monster Magnet
L7 [in 1996]
Deer Hoof
Creeps On Candy
Jagg Offs
Riddlin Kids